$20K stolen from school

Photo: Google Street View

South Rutland Elementary

Elementary school children in Rutland could miss out on field trips, hot lunches, dances, barbecues and other extracurricular activities this year after thousands of dollars were stolen from a local school's parent advisory council.

While the theft is still being investigated by the RCMP, it's believed about $20,000 was stolen from the South Rutland Elementary PAC by a member of the PAC's executive board.

The theft was discovered last month, and the person believed to be responsible for the theft was immediately removed from their treasurer and fundraising roles.

The alleged thief had reportedly been part of the school's PAC executive board for six years.

“It's pretty devastating that the individual who stole the money, we've all known for years and our kids have gone to school together for years,” said a member of the school's PAC executive board who asked to remain anonymous.

No charges have been laid in the alleged theft, but police and the BC Gaming Commission are investigating.

“We don't have funds to purchase hot lunch for our kids, help out with any school supplies, host school events such as our dance, barbecues and social events,” said the PAC member. “We do not have funds for field trips or school buses (for field trips) ... it's a very big hit for 2019.”

This is the second theft from a local elementary school PAC this school year. The first occurred at Glenrosa Elementary School, where $22,000 was discovered missing in late August.

The alleged thief was also a part of the school's executive board. Charges have yet to be laid in the Glenrosa school theft, but the investigation is ongoing.

Sarah Shakespeare, president of the Central Okanagan PAC which oversees local PACs, says PAC executives need to be more vigilant.

“You need to ask more questions, money has to be counted together,” she said. “Even if you've trusted that person for a long time, someone's personal position they put themselves in now in 2019 may not be the position they were in in 2017 when they went into that position ... we don't know what's going on behind closed doors financially for these people.

“Some people think it wouldn't happen in their schools, but these two schools didn't think it would happen in their schools and it has.”

Despite the blow to the South Rutland Elementary PAC's finances, those at the school are trying to stay positive. They're planning on hosting several fundraisers throughout the rest of the school year to recover some of their lost funds, details of which can be found at the school's website in the future.